Velbert in April 2026: Culture, Finances, and Inclusion in the Spotlight

Culture and Finance on a Tightrope

What was important this month

• The Cultural and Event Operations Velbert (KVBV) reported a surplus of 94,621.95 euros in 2024, despite a city-subsidized loss compensation of 6.47 million euros.
• Revenue increased by nearly 1.14 million euros compared to the previous year – a positive development for the cultural industry.
• Initial measures for better inclusion in cultural events were decided in the first quarter of 2026.
• The final audit confirmed: Books are properly maintained – no major weaknesses were identified.
• The operational committee is actively pursuing measures to improve results, aiming to reduce the need for subsidies in the long term.

Culture in Numbers: What does the KVBV look like in 2024?

The Cultural and Event Operations Velbert (KVBV) delivered a positive financial result with a year-end balance of 106.3 million euros and a surplus of nearly 95,000 euros. However, the loss compensation provided by the city increased compared to the previous year – from 4.5 million to 6.5 million euros.

Revenue rose significantly: from 1.08 million in 2023 to 2.22 million in 2024. This increase is mainly due to an expanded event program and new partnerships. However, costs also rose: the operational expenditure amounted to 8.63 million euros, with depreciations totaling 2.8 million euros (32.4%) making up a large share.

The year-end deficit in 2024 was 94,600 euros, which represents a significant decline compared to the previous year’s surplus of 1.237 million euros.

The final audit, conducted in accordance with legal requirements, confirmed that the books are properly maintained and no major weaknesses were identified. This is an important signal for the transparency and reliability of the KVBV.

Inclusion: Step by Step Toward Barrier-Free Access

In April 2026, concrete measures were decided to better consider the needs of people with disabilities at cultural events. These include, for example:

• Barrier-free access and assistance tools for event venues.
• Inclusive event formats, such as disability awareness training for event staff.
• Improved communication options, such as large-print programs or hearing aid rentals.

These steps are part of a long-term strategy to position Velbert as an inclusive cultural city. They show that the city is not only focused on financial stability, but also on social responsibility.

Strategy for the Future: Focusing on Result Improvement

The operational committee has issued a task for result improvement. The goal is to open up new sources of income, reduce costs, and make the KVBV more self-sufficient in the long term. The focus is on:

• Cooperations with regional companies and sponsors.
• Digitalization of event management and ticket sales.
• Cost-efficiency measures in operations.

This strategy is necessary to reduce dependence on municipal subsidies and to secure the cultural operations sustainably.

Between Culture, Financial Policy, and Inclusion

The developments of the KVBV illustrate how complex the balance between cultural diversity and financial sustainability can be. The annual figures show that the cultural operations have a high priority for the city – but also come with financial challenges. At the same time, Velbert is setting an important example for social participation and barrier-free access with measures for inclusion.

The audit tasks and strategic measures show that the city is capable of action and forward thinking. It remains to be seen whether the measures for result improvement in the coming years will lead to a reduction in subsidy needs.

Conclusion and Outlook

April 2026 was a month in Velbert where culture, finances, and inclusion were in the spotlight. The KVBV achieved a year-end surplus, but the increase in loss compensation from the city shows that strategic adjustments are necessary. At the same time, Velbert is setting an important example for social responsibility with measures for inclusion.

In May 2026, it will be interesting to observe how the measures for result improvement will be concretized and whether further measures for inclusion will follow. Velbert is on an exciting path between cultural identity and financial sustainability.